As many as 10 teams made serious bids to sign Sundin but the big Swede decided on the Canucks, who at the end of last season attempted to lure the 37-year-old free agent center to the west coast with a two-year $20 million deal.

“I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks,” Sundin said in a statement on the Canucks’ website

(http://canucks.nhl.com). “Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit.”

Sundin, who ranked 22nd all-time in career goals (555) at the end of last season, had kept teams dangling while deciding whether to retire or return for an 18th season.

Details of the deal were not immediately available but it is believed Sundin’s decision ultimately hinged on joining a team that would provide him with a chance of winning a first Stanley Cup.

The Canucks, tied with the Calgary Flames atop the Northwest division standings, were one of the most vigorous suitors in the belief Sundin could launch them on a serious Cup run.

FIRST PICK

Taken by the Quebec Nordiques with the first overall pick in the 1989 NHL draft, Sundin has been one of the NHL most dependable scorers, collecting 1,321 points in 1,305 games.

In 13 seasons in Toronto, Sundin rewrote the Maple Leafs’ record books by scoring 420 goals and a franchise high 987 points.

A bruising physical presence, the six-foot five-inch, 231-pound forward led Toronto in scoring last season with 32 goals and 78 points in 74 games.

Sundin’s glittering resume includes an Olympic gold medal from the 2006 Turin Winter Games and he helped Sweden to world championship crowns in 1991, 1992 and 1998.

That combination of leadership qualities and skills made the nine-times all-star one of the NHL’s prize free agents.

“We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks,” general manager Mike Gillis said.

“Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and league leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure.

“He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks.”

(Writing by Steve Keating in Detroit; Editing Ed Osmond)

Last night, the Canucks remembered Bourdon by presenting his last game-worn sweater to four family members, including his mother and fiancée. The players will also wear stickers with “L.B.” on their helmets for the remainder of the season.

The jersey was presented by Canucks captain Roberto Luongo, ex-teammate and close friend Alex Burrows and by the season-ticket holder who was given Bourdon’s sweater after the final home game last year.

The ceremony, peppered with chants of “Luc” from the 18,630 at GM Place, ended with recording artist Tom Cochrane performing an acoustic version of his song Big League while photos of Bourdon appeared on the video scoreboard.

TheVancouverite.com is writing about the recent Naslund departure news – “The franchise leader in goals and points for the Vancouver Canucks is heading to the New York Rangers.” – Nazzy, you have a  great wrist shot from the wing on the powerplay but it just wasn’t working for you the last few seasons. Not too sorry to see you go but we need a replacement!

michaelkwan.com blogged about horseback riding in Paradise Valley – “Continuing with my dedication to local tourism, this excursion involved a short drive to Paradise Valley, British Columbia.” – Looks like an excellent outting!

gusdigital.com blogged about The Bad and The Ugly of Living Downtown – “don’t get me wrong I love living downtown, but lately with the warmer weather people seem to be a little more cranky and scary.” – We know what you mean Gus…

johnchow.com takes a break from making money online to review West Restaurant – “West Restaurant offers outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and seamless service to help it garnered four consecutive wins as Restaurant of the Year by the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.” – If you are looking for a dinner experience that is second to none, then check this place out!

miss604.com continues her Vancouver History blogging with an entry on Prohibition in Vancouver – “Rum runners in BC would sail up and down the coast, often with tens of thousands of cases tucked in away on lumber ships.” – Really interesting local history lesson.

Luc Bourdon, the promising rookie defenseman, was killed today.  It’s a sad day for hockey. It’s tragic, shocking news and I wish the best for his family. I don’t have much information yet but here is what I know:

According to the press:

Luc Bourdon, a promising defenceman with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, was killed Thursday afternoon in a motorcycle crash in his native northern New Brunswick.

Bourdon’s sister, Eve Bourdon, confirmed the death but declined further comment when reached at the family’s home in Shippagan.

“Luc was a winner, he was a competitor,” said Kent Hughes, his agent. “There was no quit in him. He persevered through a lot. He was a great guy and a great teammate.”

RCMP in Shippagan wouldn’t confirm the identity of the victim but said the driver of a motorcycle was killed at about 12:30 p.m. AT in crash on a road between Shippagan and Lemeque, N.B.

A report said Bourdon lost control of his motorcycle before hitting a tractor-trailer.

Bourdon, 21, was the first-round pick of the Canucks, 10th overall, in the 2005 NHL draft.

He split time this season with the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. In 27 games with the Canucks, he scored twice but had no assists.

Bourdon was a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2006 world junior hockey championship in Vancouver and was named to the tournament all-star team.

He helped Canada win another gold at the 2007 tournament in Sweden.

I saw him play for the Canucks and at the World Juniors and thought he was a great player that just needed time to step into the NHL.  More to come…